Red-Eared Slider

The red-eared slider is known as the Japanese turtle or Florida slider. In some countries, it is also called jicotea, but its scientific name is Trachemys Scripta Elegans. It is a semi-aquatic turtle belonging to the Emydidae family. It is native to the southern United States and northern Mexico, but has established itself in other places due to releases and has become an invasive species in areas where it outcompetes native species. This means that many people tend to release these turtles in places where they shouldn't, and these turtles start to displace local turtles and begin to reproduce in large numbers.

It is one of the most popular turtle species as a pet worldwide due to its distinctive appearance and friendly behavior.

Habitat of the red-eared slider

The Florida slider is found in a variety of aquatic habitats, including streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds. It is a semi-aquatic species and can spend long periods in the water, although it can also be found on land.

How long do red-eared sliders live?

Red-eared sliders are very long-lived, and their lifespan can vary. They can live up to an average of 30 years in the wild. In captivity, this figure rises to up to 40 years. This depends on the conditions in which we keep the turtle, including habitat, diet, and other care.

How big does a red-eared slider get?

This species can reach over 40 centimeters in length, but its average length ranges between 15 and 20 cm. Females of the species are usually larger than males.

What can it eat?

The red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) is omnivorous and eats a variety of foods, including aquatic plants, aquatic insects, crustaceans, fish, and other small animals. They are social animals and can be found in groups in feeding and resting areas.

The diet of the red-eared slider in captivity can include a wide variety of foods. The standard food for aquatic turtles is the typical turtle pellets or kibbles.

We recommend:

The ideal diet for the red-eared slider should be as balanced and varied as possible so they get all the necessary vitamins and nutrients. You can combine pellets or sticks for turtles with mealworms, crickets, snails, chicken heart, raw chicken, and chicken breast. You can also give small pieces of salmon or small pieces of raw fish. The pieces should be smaller than the size of the turtle's head.

All live food you offer your red-eared slider should always come from a breeder.

As fruits, they can eat apple, banana, and strawberry. As vegetables, carrot, lettuce, pumpkin, broccoli, and cauliflower.

They cannot eat citrus fruits because turtles cannot digest them; the acidity can harm them. Red meat is also strictly forbidden because it is very hard for them to digest.

You also should not give them processed foods such as cooked ham, sausages, canned tuna, etc. Dried shrimp is also not recommended because it contains a lot of salt and does not benefit the turtle.

Reproduction of the red-eared slider

To differentiate the sex of Florida sliders, they must be adults. When they are baby turtles, you cannot tell their sex because they have not developed enough yet.

Once developed, female turtles are larger than males. The female has a very small and thin tail compared to the male. The male's tail is long and thick. His plastron has a slight curve to make it easier when mounting the female.

When the male is an adult, his front claws grow longer.

They lay eggs several times a year and are very active when it comes to breeding.

If you have an adult female and a male, it is recommended to have an area with soil in their habitat so they can lay their eggs and the baby red-eared sliders can hatch.

How to care for red-eared sliders?

The red-eared slider needs to take long sunbaths. This is so they can regulate their body temperature and develop strong and healthy. Sunbathing also helps them digest food well and absorb nutrients properly, keeping their shell strong. If you cannot take them outside or keep them outdoors, you should have a special UVB light for reptiles. They should get between 4 to 8 hours daily.

Substrate

If the Florida slider (red-eared slider) is in a fish tank, tub, or turtle tank, it is not recommended to use gravel at the bottom because they can swallow it and choke, and gravel also traps dirt, causing bad odors in your turtle's habitat.

They require a lot of water since they are excellent swimmers, so the more water their habitat has, the better their development will be.

Dry area

They grow very fast and their habitat should also have a dry area where they can rest and bask in the sun. The dry area should be easily accessible and not have drafts nearby because these turtles are very prone to pneumonia.

Filter

We must have a good filter to ensure good water quality for the turtles. In another article, we show you the best filter choice for turtles. The filter is important to keep the water clean for a long time, prevent diseases, and save water. The filter should always be running.

Heater

When red-eared sliders are babies (first 2 years), it is recommended to keep the temperature at 28 degrees so they stay active and have an appetite to grow healthy. As they grow, you can keep them at a temperature between 25 and 28 degrees with a regulable thermostat.

They require doses of calcium. This can be given with turtle-shaped tablets in aquariums or you can also give them cuttlebone, which is a supplement rich in calcium.

If you use tap water, you should use dechlorinator, which is also sold at any pet store. It is necessary to remove the chlorine from tap water and thus avoid irritation to their eyes and skin.

If you want to know more about aquatic turtles, visit our post and list of turtle accessories.

Species compatible with the red-eared slider

Some of the compatible species are its subspecies, such as the yellow-eared slider, peacock turtles, map turtles, yellow-bellied slider, red-bellied slider, or painted turtle.

There are quite a few species compatible with red-eared sliders because they basically have very similar care and diet. Remember not to keep small turtles with much larger turtles.

Images of the Red-Eared Slider

Below we show a gallery of photos of the red-eared slider:

Conservation status of the red-eared slider

The reptiles with red ears are an invasive species, and their presence in many areas is more concerning than their threatened status. They were domesticated on almost all continents and later their owners released them into rivers and lakes because they could not care for them and lacked space. The European Union declared the importation of slider turtles illegal from 1997, and they are trying to eliminate many European populations of red-eared sliders.

Invasive Exotic Turtles: Current European and Spanish Regulations

Current European and Spanish legislation strictly prohibits the acquisition, purchase, and sale of invasive exotic species, including Trachemys scripta and its subspecies such as the Red-Eared Slider, Yellow-Eared Slider, and the Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta). These regulations aim to protect local ecosystems and prevent possible negative impacts on biodiversity, highlighting the importance of conserving and preserving native species. For more information, consult the MITECO website.

Accessories for red-eared sliders

Types of aquatic turtles